» FrameMaker Automation

FrameMaker for Windows does not provide a "scripting" mechanism. If you need to automate actions in FrameMaker, your choices are ..

• The FrameMaker developer's kit (FDK). A set of C libraries that let you develop plugins that can automate any series of actions in Frame that you can do through the UI. Once a plugin is developed, you can install it on all of your computers. (Free download from Adobe.)
  http://www.adobe.com/devnet/framemaker/fdk/
   
• FrameScript. A FrameMaker plugin that lets you write VB-like scripts to drive FrameMaker. To run a framescript, each computer that you want to run it on must have a FrameScript license. ($150 per license.)
  http://www.framescript.com
   
• FrameAC. A FrameMaker plugin that lets you write actual VB scripts (in the Visual Basic IDE). Also, one license per system that you want to run the scripts on. (150 euros per license.)
  http://www.mekon.com/Technology/A-Z/FrameAC/index.jsp
   
• fmPython. A FrameMaker plugin that lets you write scripts using the Python language. This plugin must be installed on each system in order to run the fmPython script. (Free download.)
  http://www.isnet.sk/petrucha/?lang=en&page=fmPython
  » It appears that this website is no longer accessible. The license agreement says that it's OK to redistribute, so here it is .. fmPython-0.2.1b-win.zip[433KB]

There are also some "batch" processing plugins that provide some level of scripting functionality ..

• DoBatch. http://www.freeframers.org/freeware/cud/
   
• DZBatcher. http://www.datazone.com/english/overview/download.html
   
• RunFM. Allows automated (batch) processing of FrameMaker. It is a component of Mif2Go, available with the full product or the demo (free). See the Mif2Go User's Guide for instructions. Install runfm.exe to any dir on the path except under the Frame Plugins dir. http://www.omsys.com/dcl/download.htm

If you're interested in having a custom plugin developed for you (using the FDK), feel free to contact Leximation for a quote. If you're looking for help developing FrameScripts, visit FrameScript Consultants.